D'ORLANDO ENTERPRISES JOINS FORCES WITH ITALSPORTJanuary 26, 2018

It's the beginning of a new year and the personnel at d'Orlando Enterprises have been very busy. While drivers Michael & Nicholas d'Orlando work on their on-track development, the executives have been busy making sure the support around their program continues at the highest level. Now, 2018 is off to a tremendous start as the organization will officially join forces with the Swedish-based management/driver development program of Italsport, under the direction of one of Europe’s top motorsports professionals, Rickard Kaell Franchini.

Franchini’s experience both on and off the track provide an extensive resume to expand the d'Orlando's driver development program. He has multiple championship titles to his credit as a driver from 1984-2001. And when he hung up the helmet in 2001, the long list of accomplishments grew over the next 17 years. Working with numerous drivers and some of the world's top race programs for almost two decades, Franchini has earned many world and European championship karting titles, and has also helped developed professional drivers up the ranks of open-wheel motorsports, including Lewis Hamilton (F1), Paul di Resta (DTM and F1), Jamie Green (DTM), Ben Hanley (LMP1), Callum Ilott (FDA Driver), Dan Ticktum (Red Bull Junior Program) and Christian Lundgaard (Renault F1 Junior Driver).

“I’m very much looking forward to coming on board with the d'Orlando Enterprises program and continue the opportunity to work with Michael and Nicholas.” explains Franchini. “Both are very talented and determined drivers & individuals, and I am quite confident they will achieve their target to become professional race car drivers. I look forward to seeing Michael step up in the motorsports ladder to open-wheel race cars this year and for Nicholas to compete another full season in the European karting series. I can’t wait to get back on track.”

"I look forward to coming on board with the d'Orlando Enterprises program and to continue the opportunity to work with Michael and Nicholas."
- Rickard Kaell Franchini

In 2016, Michael d’Orlando joined the Birel ART Factory Race Team based in Italy, where he was introduced to Franchini in his role of Technical Director, managing the race team operations and overseeing all driver development. Starting in the spring of 2017, Franchini got a chance to witness the potential of Nicholas d’Orlando while he competed in the CIK FIA European Championship karting series, with the US-based kart team, J3 Competition-CompKart. And now, the partnership will continue to develop as ItalSport will work with the d’Orlando's racing program directly to oversee the drivers' development and management.

“Having met Rickard [Franchini] while Michael & Nicholas competed in Europe over the past 2 years, it was a great opportunity to see him work with various drivers under his direction.” explains d’Orlando Enterprises' owner, Sherri d’Orlando. “His knowledge and professionalism is top notch. His personal connection with Michael & Nicholas, and his extensive connection to other professionals in the industry, made this an easy decision for us. We look forward to working with him for the future and developing our drivers’ careers.”

For more information on d’Orlando Enterprises LLC, and it’s drivers, or for information on Italsport, contact Rickard Franchini at italsport@live.se. For continued updates, go to www.dorlandoracing.com or Facebook (Michael d’Orlando Racing, Nicholas d’Orlando Racing) and Instagram (dorlandoracing) and Twitter (@dorlandoracing).